Lenard “Charlamagne Tha God” McKelvey has secured a new $200 million deal five-year contract extension with iHeartMedia, ensuring his continued role as co-host of the successful radio show “The Breakfast Club” and founder of The Black Effect podcast network.
iHeartMedia praised him as “one of the world’s most well-informed, authoritative and distinctive media personalities” and an “influential voice in American culture.”
The new multiyear deal allows Charlamagne to maintain his signature “uninhibited” interview style on the award-winning “The Breakfast Club,” which airs weekdays. He will also continue hosting “Weekends With The Breakfast Club” with co-hosts DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, and Loren LoRosa, according to Variety.
Charlamagne has co-hosted “The Breakfast Club,” which has been broadcast on iHeartMedia New York’s Power 105 and distributed nationally since 2010.
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The 47-year-old media personality said in a statement, “When it comes to iHeartMedia, gratitude will always be my attitude. They’ve created space for me to grow not just as talent, but as an executive and true partner through The Black Effect Podcast Network.”
He continued, “To say that I’m thankful is an understatement. iHeart is the biggest and best audio company on the planet, and audio is the foundation on which the whole media conglomerate will be built. Podcasting, live events, TV/film and documentaries, the sky is the limit for where we are going, and radio will always be at the core of it. Here’s to a new era of growth, impact, and prosperity.”
He told Forbes, “When I was looking at doing my new deal with iHeartMedia. I was, like, ‘I don’t want to just be talent. I want to create this podcast network. I want to create the BET [Black Entertainment Television] for podcasting.’”
Starting in 2026, video episodes of “The Breakfast Club” will be available for exclusive streaming on Netflix. This is due to a recent licensing agreement between Netflix and iHeartMedia, which covers “The Breakfast Club” and more than a dozen other shows.
However, the audio-only versions of “The Breakfast Club” and the other iHeart programs will still be accessible on all major platforms, including Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Celebrating its 15th anniversary this month, iHeartMedia said it recognized “The Breakfast Club” as “the bullhorn for modern culture” and “the most informative and entertaining top-rated contemporary Hip-Hop/R&B morning show today.”
The show, along with Charlamagne Tha God, was inducted into the Radio Hall of Fame in 2020. It has hosted a remarkable roster of guests, including Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Jay-Z, Cardi B, Kendrick Lamar, Kevin Hart, Snoop Dogg, Future, 50 Cent, Lizzo, Will Smith, and Alicia Keys.
Furthermore, his weekly program, “Weekends With The Breakfast Club,” features a three-hour countdown of the top 20 charting songs, along with exclusive, signature interviews.
“Charlamagne has been a transformative voice in audio, redefining what it means to create content that sparks dialogue and drives cultural change,” said Rich Bressler, iHeartMedia’s president and COO.
Bressler added, “Through ‘The Breakfast Club’ and his growing podcast network, he’s amplified diverse voices, tackled tough conversations, and built platforms that continue to resonate with audiences nationwide. His influence has helped shape the future of audio and we’re energized by what lies ahead and appreciate his ongoing trust in iHeart.”
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Meanwhile, the Black Effect Podcast Network, a collaboration between iHeart and Charlamagne Tha God, is also continuing its work. Charlamagne launched the network in 2020 to become the world’s largest podcast publisher specifically for Black audiences.
It features key voices in Black culture for engaging discussions on various subjects, such as social justice, pop culture, sports, mental wellness, current events, and comedy. The Black Effect has grown to include more than 60 shows and now gets about 11 million downloads each month, featuring a roster of popular content creators.
Earlier this year, “The Breakfast Club” replay podcast, which served as the flagship show for the launch of The Black Effect Podcast Network, surpassed 1 billion downloads, joining a very short list of podcasts to reach the milestone.
Beyond his media ventures, Charlamagne Tha God has expanded his influence into film production and mental health advocacy. He founded Southland Stories, a film company dedicated to creating authentic and impactful stories.
Additionally, he established the Mental Wealth Alliance to raise mental health awareness and provide resources, particularly in underserved communities.
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